1st LD: 2nd Indonesian hostage escapes from Abu Sayyaf capture in Philippines

Another Indonesian hostage fled Abu Sayyaf bandits in the southern Philippines after nearly two months in captivity, Indonesian senior minister disclosed here on Thursday.

Ismail escaped from the Abu Sayyaf captors on Wednesday, the same day when his colleague escaped the group and he is currently at Luuk town of the Philippines, Indonesian Security Chief Minister Wiranto confirmed.

"We got information that two persons escaped their captors," Wiranto said at the State Palace.

Muhammad Sofyan, Ismail's colleague, freed from the bandits' plot to behead him, is in Zambuanga of the Philippines, said Wiranto.

Both seamen are undergoing medical check-up by the Filipino authorities, he added.

Ismail is the chief officer of a tugboat whose seven crews were held hostages in waters off the Philippines in June.

Nine Indonesian nationals along with scores of foreign nationals remain as hostages by the Abu Sayyaf captors in the southern Philippines.

The Abu Sayyaf group always demands ransoms for the release of their victims or violently beheads them.

A total of 25 Indonesian sailors have been abducted by the group this year and so far 16 of them have been released.

Indonesia has called for truce between the Philippines troops and Abu Sayyaf group for the safety of Indonesian hostages. Enditem